Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Colorado DUI Laws to learn more.

Years of experience

Decades of criminal defense experience have taught us how cops and district attorneys put together cases. While some Colorado criminal defense lawyers take a wait-and-see approach, we know there's no time to waste. The best criminal defense lawyers know that often the most critical window is right after an arrest.

After all—the police and prosecutor aren't waiting to build a case against you. Why give them a head start? Cases aren't just won in the courtroom. Knowing who to talk to and who has the discretion to negotiate are often just as important as making the best impression on the jury—although we know how to do that, too.

Proactive teamwork

Studies show that a defendant with a lawyer at first appearance is:

2 ½ times more likely to be released on his or her own recognizance;

4 ½ times more likely to have the amount of bail significantly reduced; and

Often likely to serve less time in jail.1

Together with our private criminal defense investigators and experts, we'll get to work immediately to protect your rights. We'll locate and interview witnesses, obtain surveillance tapes, and do all the necessary background research into the facts of your case. Surprise twists work well on TV, but in real life, it pays to be prepared.

Personalized defense

Sometimes it's possible to stop criminal charges from ever being filed. At other times, savvy and early negotiating can get the district attorney to reconsider the charges. Our criminal lawyers will present your story and evidence in the best possible light.

When the prosecutors see the whole picture—and not just what the cops or the alleged victim has to say-- they may decide to file lesser charges. Or they might not file charges at all. But we are also not afraid to take cases to trial in front of a jury. In short, we fight your case and do whatever is best for you.

Close personal contact with your attorney

Defending a Colorado DUI / DWAI or criminal case is hard enough. The last thing you need is the added stress of not being able to reach your lawyer. We pride ourselves on the accessibility of both our lawyers and our skilled support staff.

In order to give you emotional support as well as top criminal representation, we observe two policies:

Every client phone call, email or text is returned the same day; and

Every client gets the personal cell phone number of his/her attorney and the lawyer's assistant.

Knowledge of the Local Courts

Every county and every courthouse has its own way of doing things. The criminal court process in Denver County can differ quite a bit from the criminal court process in Jefferson, Weld or Arapahoe. Not to mention that there is a world of difference between the adult courts and the Colorado juvenile justice system.

We understand the subtle differences between negotiating with the 4th Judicial District Attorney for El Paso and Teller Counties and the District Attorney for Larimer or Douglas County. No two D.A.'s offices or courthouses are alike any more than any other case is just like yours. We care enough to know the difference.

Crimes we defend

Colorado felony assault involves intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person. It can be in the first, second or third degree, depending on the seriousness of the injury, whether a weapon was used, and whether the victim is in a special class (such as being elderly or disabled).

“Menacing” occurs when you threaten someone with assault and place that person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Menacing is typically a misdemeanor, except when a deadly weapon is used in making the threat.

Here in Colorado, domestic violence is not a separate crime. It is a sentencing enhancement that can add as many as several years in prison to your sentence, depending on whether you have a history of domestic violence.

The domestic violence enhancement can be charged in conjunction with ANY other crime if the victim is a current or former intimate partner. Crimes to which it frequently applies include spousal abuse, child abuse (when abusing the child is done to control the partner), stalking, assault, or menacing.

Perhaps most importantly, if you are suspected of domestic violence you will subject to a mandatory protective order before you are even tried, and even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges.

The domestic violence restraining order will prohibit you from harassing, molesting, intimidating, retaliating against, or tampering with any witness or the alleged victim. It will also severely restrict your rights. You will not be able to have any contact with the alleged victim, even if he or she is willing or initiates the contact. If children were present at the time of the alleged offense, the no contact order may also be extended to the children.

If you are subject to a protective order, you will not even be permitted to consume alcohol. Violation of a Colorado protective order -- even by accident -- can land you in jail. As a consequence, it is in your interest to retain the best domestic violence lawyer as possible as soon as there is any suspicion of domestic violence.

Our Colorado drug lawyers defend against possession, sales and distribution charges, from misdemeanor violations of marijuana laws to felony drug trafficking in narcotics such as heroin and cocaine.

Consequences of drug charges can include not only time in prison or jail, but mandatory drug testing and counseling, hefty fines, and the possible loss of future employment. However, with a vigorous defense, we can often get narcotics charges dismissed -- or negotiate a plea bargain to a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Whereas state laws are fairly tolerant for first-time offenders in many categories, sex offenses are an exception. Some sex crimes are misdemeanors -- prostitution and soliciting, for instance. But the punishment for crimes such as sexual assault and child molestation can be particularly severe. If convicted of a felony sex crime as an adult, you are likely to spend many years in prison. In addition, your name will be listed on Colorado's sex offender registry for decades and may appear on multiple sex offender websites.

The good news is that sex crimes can be difficult to prove. We defend clients accused of sexual assault, sexual contact, and other offenses by digging into the circumstances surrounding the allegations. In addition, the Colorado legislature recognizes that in many cases the public interest is best served by community monitoring and counseling, rather than incarceration. If what you need is treatment, we will fight to get it for you, so that you need so you can stay at home and keep your job, your family and your freedom.

Some of the most commonly charged crimes are shoplifting, auto theft, robbery and breaking and entering. Penalties for theft crimes range from a fine and probation for property worth less than $950, to years -- and even decades -- in prison for property of value or the use of weapon. There are many defenses available to defeat theft and burglary charges. From challenging the valuation of the property to negotiating pleas to less charges, our skilled theft lawyers know them all.

Additional services

In addition to defending you against criminal charges, other services our criminal defense attorneys provide include:

Your case, your story

Some people believe that the D.A. wouldn't accuse you of a crime if you weren't guilty. But we know that many people accused are truly innocent. Situations can arise out of self-defense, accidents, mistaken identification, false accusations or mental illness. At other times, the prosecutor simply wants to be perceived as "tough on crime" and overcharges. And sometimes, instead of jail time, what you simply need is a little compassion and help--such as drug rehab or anger management.

Our criminal defense / DUI lawyers leave no stone unturned to find the best defense. We scrutinize the accuser's background to look for bias against our client. We independently investigate the case with our own private detectives and forensic experts. And then we work aggressively to get it so that you get the help you need and the compassion you deserve.

Se habla español. A former deputy public defender, Colorado criminal defense attorney Tanner Spracklen has an extensive experience at all stages of litigation in misdemeanor and felony cases, including representing clients in temporary and permanent restraining/protection order litigation.

Top Colorado defense attorney Dalia Labrador

Se habla español. Colorado criminal defense attorney Dalia Labrador learned how "the other side" thinks from her past work at a prosecutor's office. Now she uses this insider information to defend her clients' rights and freedom in all stage of litigation.

Top Colorado defense attorney Kayla Falgoust

Colorado criminal defense attorney Kayla Falgoust began her criminal defense career as a deputy public defender. Kayla is a skilled negotiator who can usually get charges reduced or dismissed through a plea bargain. But she also has extensive experience fighting for "not guilty" verdicts at trial.

Contact us for a free consultation

We start every case the same way: by listening. The police and the accusers are going to have their story. We'll be presenting yours. So we want to start by hearing and understanding your side of it. Call us at 303-222-0330 or use the form on this page to schedule a free consultation to see if we're the right defense lawyers for you.

We will get back to you promptly to discuss your case and possible legal strategies. Fighting an arrest can be a frightening experience. But you don't have to go it alone.

Our Golden office is located at:

Colorado Legal Defense Group

Legal references:

In one study, defendants with a lawyer at their first appearance served a median sentence of just two days rather than nine days. See The Colorado Bail Book, Sept. 2015.

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Colorado Legal Defense Group

5Lawyers are supposed to have a bad name, but the Colorado Legal Defense Group exhibited service, insights, and class that should make anyone feel very confident in calling upon their aid. I had an emergency legal case come up and Colorado Legal Defense Group looked like they had a specialty in this area. One of the lawyers (a 19-year veteran of the Denver PD as Lieutenant, whose experience there was helpful) answered the call at about 10pm on a Sunday night, and reassured me on the situation. During the week I spoke with another lawyer on staff – 3 people all told during the week. They were very detailed about my situation and the possible outcomes. When the DA announced his office would not be pressing charges, the Colorado Legal Defense Group tore up the check I had written them because they didn't have to dig in and represent me in court. So the week's worth of communication ended up being gratis. Most appreciated!Todd R.